Supporting New Business Imperatives Creating a Framework for Interoperable Media Services (FIMS)

The Current Media Landscape Rapidly changing demands from consumers –Multiple types of content and delivery platforms –Increasingly sophisticated expectations Business model needs to be: –Easily adaptable to sustain growth and increase profitability –Supportive of content creativity and innovation –Nimble to respond to accelerating rates of change

Current Business Demands Faster introduction of new and innovative services Speed of content delivered to non-linear platforms Rich metadata to enable second screen applications Analysis of large amounts of data for future strategic planning

Current Business Demands Rigorous management of data for content and rights usage Unified business and media processes Efficient, flexible use of media supply chain resources Adhering to contractual requirements of channel partners

Content Distribution Requires… Multiple versions for different: –Regulatory environments –Regional and cultural audiences –Distribution mechanisms –Delivery devices Integrated supply chain processes for –Video and audio formats –Descriptive and technical metadata –Languages, subtitles, captions…and more

Todays technology Resources are locked within the system Highly customized with proprietary interfaces Difficult to extend or adapt to new requirements Very difficult to monitor utilization No links to existing business systems or process management Reliant on staff with specific broadcast skills

WHATS THE ANSWER?

Rapid Change Requires Flexibility Future platform must Suit an agile business environment, using lower-cost commoditized IT technology where possible Allow for seamless addition or adaptation of new services Facilitate a low cost of entry into new revenue areas Be easily scalable Quickly redeploy assets to the most successful and profitable environments Ensure efficient use of technical resources Drive toward modest operational expenditures rather than large capital expenditures

A New Approach for Media: Service-Oriented Architecture FIMS: A joint initiative created by the Advanced Media Workflow Association and the European Broadcasting Union A proven approach in many industry sectors

The FIMS Concept Media Supply Chain Workflow Centralize decision-making and business processes Provide a flexible platform to adapt to new business requirements Reduce reliance on proprietary solutions Expose closed systems as services Allow workflow to dictate infrastructure and technology instead of the other way around Speak the same language Leverage a standard interface across media services

How can FIMS adoption help? Prioritizes operations that are mission critical Allows for flexibility in system architecture design Allows for tasks to occur in parallel increasing resource utilization Allows adoption of new workflows to be scaled to suit the business or investment Services are only called upon when needed and released when not in use

How to move to a FIMS system? A FIMS implementation can be large or small Your whole workflow need not be FIMS compliant Identify the problem areas in your processes Draw on the experience of other media organisations and independent advisors Choose one that is easy to implement and will deliver good returns

Business Benefits A media supply chain that is more responsive to consumers needs and competitors activities Highly efficient media production becomes more achievable Supports business continuity by facilitating easier control of resources and contingency planning

Financial Benefits Improved Return on Investment: –Ability to pilot new channels and services at lower risk / lower costs –Reduce costs of integration of new business and technical systems –Transition from high capital investment to lower operational expenditures –Use off-the-shelf components that can be easily replaced or re-configured

Operational Benefits Workflows can be modified more quickly Migration path from existing workflows Improved utilization of resources / reduced bottlenecks Human resources only used where people are really needed Can capitalize on expanding pool of experienced IT resources

Technology Benefits Capitalizes on file-based workflows Removes reliance on proprietary solutions Makes best of breed designs easier to incorporate Flexibility and scalability Ease in installation of / modification of services Ability to test new services using resources in the cloud

FIMS in Action Media companies using FIMS or with pilot studies: Bloomberg CBC Radio Canada Deutsche Welle HBO RAI RTP Turner Broadcasting System Inc.

Summary FIMS is a groundbreaking but very achievable change in infrastructure and media processing FIMS promises many benefits in business agility and efficiency FIMS activities will track real world media business needs but… Media industry input on FIMS activities is vital Learn more about the FIMS Business Board and Technology Board at